Pastore "is new Zidane", claims Palermo chief

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claims Javier Pastore is "the new Zidane" and has already rebuffed an approach from Real Madrid to sign the highly-rated playmaker.

Pastore, who has also been linked with a £40 million move to Manchester City, opened the scoring in a 3-1 win over Juventus in Turin on Thursday night and was instrumental in the victory.

Palermo chief Zamparini was gushing with praise for El Flaco in the aftermath of his match-winning performance and said: "He is the new Zidane. He is very strong and complete. Within two years he'll be worth as much as Messi."

When asked if he would consider selling the 21-year-old Argentine playmaker, Zamparini replied: "He won't be moving away from Palermo, neither in January nor in June. Real Madrid have also asked for him, but I have already refused. I consider him unsellable."